Apparatus and system for identification labeling

ABSTRACT

An identification labeling system having a faceplate with a recess and a label cover that may be retained within the recess. The label cover may have compartments for retaining identification labels. The label cover has latching legs and the recess has a complementary retention ledge. A lift slot may be provided to facilitate removal of the label cover. The recess may contain holes to accommodate individual molded identification icons. The recess may include tapered corners to accommodate strip labels of different widths and lengths, such labels being positioned by the tapered corners of the recess and the label cover. The recess includes end configurations that prevent a label from passing through the surface of the faceplate. The label cover has a thickness so as to be flush with the faceplate. The label may be the same color as the faceplate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of copending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/822,320 filed Apr. 12, 2004, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/103,231, filed Mar.21, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,674 on Apr. 13, 2004, theentire content of each are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the identification labeling of communicationand network ports and, more particularly, to a versatile labeling systemthat accommodates revisions of labeling and can be used to identifymultiple adjacent ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communication systems and computer networks are becoming increasinglysophisticated, and each system attempts to accommodate more and moreusers and peripherals. As a result, a typical system may include a largearray of patch panels or similar hardware configurations with hundredsof individual ports for accommodating hundreds of interconnections to acommunication server or network. Appropriate identification of each portis critical to maintain a properly configured system. When a port isreconfigured, or a user or peripheral device is changed, theidentification of the port should also be changed, typically referred toas a revision process.

A number of prior art identification labeling techniques have beenproposed. Perhaps one of the most common systems is also one of the mostrudimentary. On the faceplate of a patch panel or other hardware thatprovides a port for interconnection, a conventional rectangular adhesivesticker may be applied in the vicinity of the port to which itidentifies. Such a sticker is typically supplied from a label stock thatincludes an adhesive backing. In use, the appropriate identificationinformation is inscribed on the face of the sticker, typically byprinting with a printer or by manually using a pen, and a backing isremoved to expose the adhesive, and the sticker is manually applied inthe desired location on the faceplate of a panel that includes the port.

Such a conventional technique has many disadvantages. Such aconventional sticker provides no protection for the surface of thesticker such that smudging of the identification information on thesticker may occur during application, and may also occur inadvertentlyduring cleaning or contact with the surface of the sticker. Applicationof the sticker must be precise, and requires fine manual dexterity. Thisproblem is frequently compounded when the panel is disposed such thatvisibility and physical access to the ports may be obstructed, such aswhen the panel is located in a closet, near a wall, under a desk oranother relatively inconvenient location.

Another disadvantage of such a conventional sticker is that, over time,the adhesive quality of the sticker may deteriorate and the sticker—andthe identification of the port—may be lost, particularly if the panel isexposed to heat or humidity. Another disadvantage is that such aconventional sticker does not accommodate a revision process. In othersituations, old stickers can be difficult or impossible to remove. If anew sticker is placed on top of an old sticker, the adhesive integritymay be deficient and the sticker may be inadvertently removed.

Another conventional prior art labeling technique involves providing arectangular recess in a panel to accommodate a rectangular paper label.This prior art labeling technique is generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.In some cases the paper label may be covered with a clear plastic shieldfor protection. As seen, however, the design maintains a slot that isopen at one or both ends. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 4, when insertingthe label and sleeve, there is a tendency for the label 220 to slidebeyond the end of the recess and into the slot behind the bottom wall,sometimes resulting in losing the label or misaligned placement of thelabel that obscures identification information.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,874 to Orlando et al. discloses anotheridentification labeling technique where a snap-in designation strip maybe attached to the front of a faceplate. As illustrated in FIG. 2 ofOrlando et al., a paper label protected by a clear plastic cover may beinserted into a groove. The strip is attached to and extends from thesurface of the faceplate by means of tabs, each having two arms,disposed on the back of the strip and which may be inserted intocorresponding slots of the faceplate. Since the strip would beirremovable once attached to the faceplate, the grooves must beopen-ended to allow for changes to the labeling. Among some of thedisadvantages of the Orlando et al. technique are that similar to otherprior art techniques, the label could be easily disengaged throughinadvertent contact that slips the label within the grooves. Also, asseen from FIG. 2 of Orlando et al., the technique is relativelycumbersome, requiring significant manual dexterity to envelop the paperlabel with the plastic cover and insert that assembly into the groove.In addition, if the labeling is being performed as part of a revisionprocess, the paper label and plastic cover assembly must be insertedinto the groove while the strip is attached to the faceplate because thedesign of the arms does not allow for removal of the strip once attachedto the faceplate. Thus, if the faceplate is disposed in a location withrestricted physical access, insertion of a new label for a revisionprocess may be very difficult. Furthermore, since the Orlando et al.technique requires one paper label for designation of multiple ports,during a revision process the identification information for both portswould need to be printed again on a new label, even if the designationinformation for only one of the ports was being updated.

In view of the aforementioned deficiencies and disadvantages of priorart identification labeling techniques, there is a need for an improvedidentification labeling system that is versatile, convenientlyaccommodates revisions, and provides suitable protection for a pluralityof different types of identification labels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved and versatile identification labeling system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide anidentification labeling system that when assembled remains flush withthe surface of the faceplate to which it is attached.

It is another object of the present invention to provide anidentification labeling system that can accommodate identificationlabeling of multiple adjacent ports. It is a related object of thepresent invention to provide such an identification labeling systemwhere the information pertaining to just one of the multiple ports canbe revised without having to reprint the information pertaining to theother ports.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anidentification labeling system that will accommodate a plurality ofdifferent types and sizes of labels each of which could identifymultiple adjacent ports. It is a related object of the present inventionto provide such an identification labeling system that will accommodatenarrower labels that may be printed with a printer, as well as widerlabels that may be marked by hand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved andversatile identification labeling system that can accommodate a varietyof different nonadhesive labels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved andversatile identification labeling system that can accommodate both paperlabels and icon identification tabs.

The above objects and advantages are realized in the present inventionthat provides an improved and versatile identification labeling system.In connection with the invention, there is a pocket or recess providedon a faceplate or other surface that accommodates a label cover. Thelabel cover is preferably clear or translucent and may be fabricatedfrom plastic. The pocket has closed ends of a configuration toaccommodate a latch disposed on the label cover to retain that labelcover and the identification label. The label cover is preferably of athickness such that it is flush with the surface of the faceplate whendisposed in the recess. A lift slot may be provided in the faceplatenext to the recess to facilitate removal of the latched label cover, forexample, during a revision process. The recess also may include holes toaccommodate individual molded identification icons. The label cover mayaccommodate individual labels into compartments within the cover wherethe labels are inserted into one or more slots defined by the face ofthe cover and a pair of longitudinally extending guide members. Fingersmay be provided to separate different segments of the cover.

Several different types of labels may be used with the invention. First,individual segment labels may be inserted into the slots correspondingto different segments of the label cover, which may then be secured inthe recess. Identification information for these individual segmentlabels may be provided by printing from a desktop or portable printer.Second, a strip label which is almost as long as the recess but is thesame height as an individual segment label may be inserted directly intothe recess and is retained by the label cover which may or may notcontain segments. In this case, the back surfaces of the label coverretain the strip label when the cover is latched into the recess of thefaceplate. Identification information for this type of label may beprinted with a desktop or portable printer. In addition, a slightlyhigher and slightly shorter strip label may be used with the presentinvention that could accommodate identification information inscribed onthe strip label by hand. Alternatively, holes in the recess mayaccommodate individual molded identification icons where, for example, asplit ball disposed at the back of the icon serves as a retention latchwhen it is inserted into the hole in the pocket. In addition, theversatility of the present invention may allow for a variety ofcombinations of the different types of labeling schemes to be usedtogether.

As may be apparent to one of skill in the art, in accordance with thepresent invention, the individual segment labels and the strip labelsthat may be printed on a printer and are of one common relatively smallheight, allowing for printing both types of labels from the sameportable printer with the same roll or cartridge of label stock. Theadvantage of the present invention facilitates revision of theidentification information. When the labels are printed in the fieldusing a portable printer, segment and strip labels of various lengths ofthe same and common height are important to prevent the need to carryand install a variety of different types of label stock having differentheights. The relatively narrow height of the segment labels,particularly when printed on a printer, provides superior appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art labeling system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the open slot of the prior artlabeling system of FIG. 1, taken along section line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the recess containing a label of theprior art labeling system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 thatillustrates a label sliding into the slot beyond the end of the recess;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the label coveraccording to the present invention, illustrating insertion of onesegment identification label into the label cover;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the label cover of FIG. 5 takenalong section line 6-6;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating the label cover latched into a recess of a faceplate;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the label cover with a segment labelinstalled latched into the recess of a faceplate of FIG. 7 taken alongsection line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a faceplate recess with a relatively smallheight strip label printed by a printer installed;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the label cover and strip label ofFIG. 9 when latched into a faceplate, taken along section line 10-10;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a faceplate recess with a full height striplabel printed by hand installed;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the label cover and strip label ofFIG. 11 when latched into a faceplate taken along section line 12-12;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of one end of the faceplate recess inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13 taken at respectivesection lines;

FIG. 14 is a label cover similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 5 butwith no recesses for individual segment labels;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the faceplate recess in accordance withthe present invention, illustrating the accommodation of individual iconidentification elements;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the faceplate recess and iconidentification element of FIG. 15 taken along section line 16-16;

FIG. 17 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the present inventionimplemented in connection with a multiple port faceplate with a dualpanel identification feature;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a sloped faceplate illustrating variousfeatures and labeling alternatives in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 is a top view of another embodiment of a faceplate recess with afull height strip label printed by hand installed; and

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of one end of the faceplate recess of FIG.19 in accordance with the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, certain preferred embodiments are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit theinvention to the particular forms described, but to the contrary, theinvention is intended to cover all modifications, alternatives andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated an elongated andgenerally rectangular label cover 10 and a generally rectangular segmentlabel 20 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Aswill be apparent, the present invention is very versatile and canaccommodate several different identification labels. Initiallyillustrated is an example of the invention used to accommodateindividual segment labels 20. The particular label cover 10 illustratedin FIG. 5 is of the multi-segment variety, comprising three separatesegments, each of which corresponds to one of three adjacent ports on afaceplate (not shown) into which the label cover 10 may be retained. Themulti-segment variety of label cover 10 illustrated is shown merely byway of example, and the advantageous features of the invention may berealized in connection with a simple one-segment label cover, as well aswith different multi-segment label covers having, for example, 2 or 4 ormore adjacent segments corresponding to a similar number of adjacentports.

In the multi-segment label cover 10 illustrated, the various segmentsare delineated by transversely extending pairs of fingers 30 which serveas a label stop during insertion of a segment label 20 into the cover.Alternatively, the transversely extending pairs of fingers 30 could alsotake the form of a single member extending transversely from one edge ofthe label cover 10 to the other edge of the label cover 10. However, apreferred arrangement is to provide pairs of fingers 30, as illustrated,or a similar arrangement, because the gap 35 between the fingers 30allows for the blade of a screwdriver or other tool to be insertedtherebetween to facilitate removal of a label 20 retained within thelabel cover 10. The label cover 10 is provided with a front protectiveshield 40 which is preferably either transparent or translucent so thatidentification information printed, written or otherwise inscribed uponthe segment label 20 will be visible through the protective shield 40.According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, when noidentification information is necessary, the front protective shield maybe opaque or colored to match the color of the faceplate.

The label cover 10 preferably includes a pair of opposed longitudinallyextending guide members 50 that are slightly spaced apart from theprotective shield 40, thereby forming a slot 55 that is wider than thewidth of the segment label 20. Such a pair of guide members 50 may beprovided for each segment of a multiple segment label cover 10, asillustrated. At each end surface 60 of the label cover 10 is provided anend surface 60 that serves as a label stop. Thus, for each segment, thepair of guide members 50 and a pair of label stops, provided either byan end 60 of the label cover 10 or a pair of fingers 30, define acompartment within which a segment label 20 may be retained. As shown,the guide members 50 do not extend all the way to the fingers 30 or theend surface 60, so that there is a passage within which the segmentlabel 20 may be inserted into the compartment of a segment by slightlybending the segment label 20 and sliding it into the slot 55 defined bythe guide members 50.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the segment label 20 may be inserted in thedirection of the arrow, and, alternatively, the segment label 20 mayalso be inserted in the other direction in the passage defined betweenthe guide members 50 and the associated end surface 60. Similarly, asegment label 20 may be inserted into the middle segment in eitherdirection by sliding a segment label 20 into the passage defined betweenthe guide members 50 and the associated fingers 30. As illustrated, thecorners of the label cover 10 may be chamfered 90 and provided withlatching legs 120 to facilitate insertion into a recess of a faceplatehaving complementary chamfers 92 and retention ledges 130, as describedin more detail below.

In order to be maintained with integrity within the compartment of asegment, the segment label 20 should be of predetermined dimensions suchthat its length is slightly less than the distance between the labelstops defined either by the fingers 30 or the end surface 60, its widthis slightly less than the distance between the opposed slots 55 definedby the guide members 50 and its thickness is slightly less than thedistance between the guide members 50 and the protective shield 40. Thesegment labels 20 may be fabricated from a wide variety of paper,plastic, fabric or other materials onto which identification informationmay be inscribed. Preferably, the segment labels 20 will be at leastslightly flexible so as to facilitate insertion into a compartment of asegment of a label cover 10.

The label cover 10 may be fabricated from a single unitary element, suchas a molded plastic element. Alternatively, the label cover 10 may beassembled from different elements, such as a separately fabricatedprotective shield 40 that may be glued, laminated or otherwise adheredto a frame constituting the remaining features of the label cover 10(e.g., the fingers 30, the guide members 50, and the end surfaces 60.Whether unitary or multiple-piece construction, it is usually preferredthat the protective shield 40 is transparent or at least translucent sothat the identification information inscribed upon be visible throughthe protective shield 40. In addition, it is preferred that the labelcover 10 be fabricated from a material that is somewhat flexible andresilient, such as polycarbonate or other non-brittle engineeringquality plastic. Such qualities for the label cover 10 are preferred sothat the label cover 10 may sustain some degree of flexing duringinsertion and removal into a complementary recess of a faceplate, whilestill retaining its original shape after flexing.

Turning now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated the manner in which thelabel cover 10 may be fitted into a complementary recess 70 of afaceplate 80 for which identification is desired. While specificpreferred features for retaining the label cover 10 within the faceplaterecess 70 will be described in the following, it should be apparent thata wide variety of other alternative latching arrangements could beutilized that are still within the scope of the present invention.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated inFIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the depth T, of the recess 70 issubstantially the same as the thickness T, of the label cover 10 so thatthe front of the protective shield 40 of the label cover 10 is flushwith the surface of the faceplate 80. The flush fitting of the labelcover 10 with respect to the surface of the faceplate 80 is anadvantageous feature of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention's recessed label cover because it improves the appearance,eliminates a pocket which can collect foreign material and it decreasesthe depth of the recess in the faceplate which enhances faceplatedesign. For example, minimum faceplate thickness of a screw-mountedfaceplate is determined by the depth of the label cover which covers thescrews.

As also seen from FIG. 7, the corners of the label cover 10 and thefaceplate recess 70 may be provided with complementary chamfers 90 and92, to promote and facilitate alignment during the process of insertionof the label cover 10 into the faceplate recess 70 and as will bedescribed in detail subsequently, to accommodate two different striplabels which are approximately as long as the label cover but which havedifferent heights. Grooves 100 may be provided at either or both ends ofthe faceplate recess 70 to allow for a tool, such as a screwdriver, tobe inserted and remove a label cover 10 that may be latched into thefaceplate recess 70. In addition, a larger lift slot 110 may be providedin the panel 80 adjacent to one side of the faceplate recess 70. Thelift slot 110, which may extend to the back wall of the faceplate recess70 or may even extend completely through the faceplate 80, may beadvantageously provided with an angled surface to facilitate removal ofa latched panel cover 10 by finger or by a tool.

Turning now to FIG. 8, when the label cover 10 is latched into thefaceplate recess 70, the segment label 20 is maintained in position bythe protective shield 40, the slot 55 defined by the guide members 50and the label stops provided at one end by the fingers 30 and at theother end by the end surface 60 of the label cover 10. So that the labelcover 10 may be retained within the faceplate recess 70, a latchingarrangement is provided which, as illustrated by way of example in FIG.8, includes a pair of latching legs 120 disposed on the ends of thelabel cover 10 which engage with a retention ledge 130 extending fromthe faceplate 80 at the end of the faceplate recess 70. In order tofacilitate latching of the label cover 10 into the faceplate recess 70,the latching legs 120 include a slight bevel 122. The bevel 122 of thelatching leg 120, acting against the retention ledge 130 of thefaceplate 80, will cause the label cover 10 to bend slightly as thelabel cover 10 is pressed into the recess 70 and the latching leg 120 isengaged behind the retention ledge 130. A label cover 10 that is latchedinto the faceplate recess 70 may be removed by inserting a tool into thegroove 100 or lift slot 110, thereby slightly flexing or bending thelabel cover 10 such that the latching leg 120 is released from behindthe retention ledge 130.

The present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12 in connection with analternative arrangement for retaining a different type of label, a striplabel 22 a or 22 b, that spans that entire length of the faceplaterecess 70 instead of fitting into an individual compartment for asegment of the label cover 10. According to this arrangement, the labelcover 10 previously described may still be used, and serves to retainthe strip label 22 a or 22 b in the faceplate recess 70. The length ofthe strip label 22 a or 22 b is preferably larger than the segment label20 that may be inserted into a particular segment of the label cover 10.The dimensions of the strip label 22 a or 22 b are slightly less thanthe internal dimensions of the faceplate recess 70. In addition,according to an advantageous feature of the present invention, thefaceplate recess 70 is preferably fabricated such that the ends 132 ofthe recess 70 are substantially closed so as to serve as a label stopfor a strip label 22 a or 22 b that may be inserted directly into therecess 70 and is retained between the label cover 10 a and the back wall134 of the recess. Such a strip label 22 a is preferably printed on aprinter and may be long enough to identify one or more adjacent ports.Such a strip label 22 b may be preferred in situations where the labelsmust be marked by hand because the height of the strip label 22 b issomewhat larger than the height of strip label 22 a and segment label20.

The back surfaces of the fingers 30, the guide members 50 and the backsurfaces 138 of the edges of the label cover 10 as shown in FIG. 10serve as a surface to retain the strip label 22 a or 22 b within thefaceplate recess 70. As seen from FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the latchingarrangement of the label cover 10 and the recess 70 may be the same asillustrated in connection with FIG. 8. However, in this arrangement, thestrip label 22 a or 22 b is maintained between the back of the labelcover 10 and the bottom or back wall 134 of the recess 70. The striplabel 22 a or 22 b may be marked or inscribed with identificationinformation for ports that are provided on the faceplate 80. The striplabel 22 a or 22 b may span the length of a multi-segment label cover10, and identification information may be inscribed on the strip label22 a or 22 b pertaining to separate segments or more generally to thegroup of segments for the strip label 22 a or 22 b.

As shown in FIGS. 9-12, there is illustrated strip labels of twodifferent dimensions that may be accommodated into a faceplate recess 70in accordance with the present invention. In each of these figures, line24 a or 24 b indicates the end of the respective strip label 22 a or 22b. FIG. 9 illustrates the faceplate recess 70 when it accommodates astrip label 22 a that is slightly longer and slightly narrower than thestrip label 22 b of FIG. 11. In particular, the strip label 22 aillustrated in FIG. 9 has a width that is slightly less than the totalwidth of the recess 70, which allows it to extend past the outer taperedcorners of chamfers 92. The strip label illustrated in FIG. 9 extendsnear the end wall 132 of the recess 70. In this arrangement, thelongitudinal movement of the strip label 22 a is limited by the end wall132 of the recess 70. The strip label 22 b illustrated in FIG. 11, onthe other hand, has a length which is slightly less than and a widthslightly greater than the strip label 22 a illustrated in FIG. 9. Thestrip label 22 b illustrated in FIG. 11 has a width which is slightlyless than the total width of the recess, and has a length such that itextends just up to the point where the chamfers 92 meet the side of therecess 70. In this arrangement, the longitudinal movement of the striplabel 22 b is limited by the inner tapered corners of chamfers 92.

Turning now to FIGS. 13, and 13A, there is illustrated the manner inwhich a faceplate recess 70 may be fabricated into a faceplate 80 toprovide the latching features of the present invention. FIG. 13illustrates features of the end of a faceplate recess 70, and FIG. 13Aillustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13. The corners of the recess70 are preferably provided with chamfers 92 to guide the insertion of alabel cover 10, and may also guide the positioning of a strip label 22 ainserted into the recess 70 which will be retained in the recess 70 by alabel cover 10. A groove 100 may be provided to accommodate a blade of ascrewdriver or other tool to facilitate removal of a label cover 10 thatmay be latched into the recess 70. The end of the faceplate recess 70 isalso provided with a retention ledge 130 that interacts with latchinglegs 120 on a label cover to latch the label cover 10 into the recess.In order to facilitate fabrication of the faceplate 80 to provide thepreferred features of the present invention, the retention ledges 130may be fabricated through a pair of core outs 133 that extend throughthe back side of the faceplate 80. In this regard, the faceplatematerial located under the retention ledge 130 is removed through a pairof core outs 133, while a centrally located endwall 132 between the pairof core outs 133 remains which in combination with the backwall 134define the end of the recess 70. As should be evident, while a core out133 at the end of the recess may provide an aperture that extends intothe recess, the centrally located endwall 132 between the pair of coreouts and the backwall surface 134 of the recess 70 prevents any labelfrom sliding into the core outs and sliding behind the faceplate, aproblem that has been present with various prior art identificationlabeling systems. Thus, through such a core out fabrication techniquethe desired features of the present invention may be manufactured intoan otherwise conventional faceplate.

Turning now to FIG. 14, there is shown an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention where there is provided a label cover 10 a that is thesame as label cover 10 except that it is fabricated without the variousfeatures, such as the chamfer 92, fingers 30, gap 35, guide members 50and slot 55, used to accommodate segment labels 20. This embodiment ofthe label cover 10 a of the present invention may be used to retain astrip label 22 a or 22 b in a manner similar to that illustrated inFIGS. 9-12, where the back of the label cover 10 a includes a pluralityof platform sections 138 disposed at various locations including eachlateral end which make the label cover 10 a have a thicknesssubstantially the same as the depth of the recess less the thickness ofthe label so as to press a strip label 22 a or 22 b against the backwall 134 of the recess 70. FIGS. 19 and 20 show embodiments of thefaceplate recess that would accommodate the label cover 10 a of FIG. 14.In such an arrangement, the label cover 10 a is transparent ortranslucent to display identification information on the strip label 22a or 22 b, as illustrated in connection with recess 70 e of FIG. 18.Alternatively, this embodiment of the present invention may also be usedwhere the label cover 10 a is merely retained in the recess itselfwithout a strip label 22. In such a case, the label cover 10 a may beopaque and may be of a color that matches the color of the faceplate 80,as illustrated in connection with recess 70 h of FIG. 18.

Turning now to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is illustrated another arrangementfor port identification in connection with the present invention. Inthis arrangement, individual icon elements 140 a and 140 b may beinserted into the faceplate recess 70 to provide identificationinformation for an associated port. The icon elements 140 may befabricated from plastic or other suitable material and preferably have athickness T, substantially the same as the depth T, of the faceplaterecess 70. The icon elements 140 may be molded in various colors and mayinclude a pattern that represents a particular type of device orperipheral such as a telephone, facsimile, computer, etc. Removal slots150 a, 150 b with an angled surface 155 may be provided on either sideof the icon elements 140, and may accommodate the blade of a screwdriveror other tool to facilitate removal of the icon elements 140 from therecess 70. The dimensions of the icon elements 140 are preferablycomplementary to the dimensions of the recess 70, and, as illustrated,several icon elements 140 may be accommodated in a recess 70 associatedwith multiple ports. The corners of the icon elements 140 have chamfers94 complementary to the chamfers 92 of the recess 70.

An icon element 140 may be retained in the recess 70 by any number ofdifferent latching or retention techniques. Illustrated by way ofexample in FIGS. 15 and 16, the back wall 134 of the recess 70 may beprovided with apertures or holes 160 for accommodating a split ballretention element 170. As seen in FIG. 18, the diameter of the splitball 170 is slightly greater than the diameter of the hole 160 so thatthe split ball retention element 170 may retain the icon element 140once inserted into the hole 160. The spherical shape of the split ball170 promotes movement of the legs 172, 174 toward each other when thesplit ball 170 is pushed into or pulled out of the hole 160. Normally,however, the split ball 170 will retain the icon element 140 in therecess 70 once inserted therein. As will be evident from FIG. 15, arecess 70 that spans several ports may accommodate a similar pluralityof different icon elements 140. In this embodiment of the invention, theicon element 140 will be disposed in the recess 70 instead of the labelcover 10.

Turning now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated a faceplate 80 thatincludes a plurality of ports 180 a, 180 b, 180 c and 180 d, and anupper recess 70 a located above the ports and a lower recess 70 blocated below the ports. In accordance with this embodiment of theinvention, one of the two recesses may be used to accommodate a singleidentification label with identification information that may be commonto the group of ports 180 a, 180 b, 180 c and 180 d, and the otherrecess may be used to accommodate a plurality of identification labelseach having identification information pertaining to one of the ports180 a, 180 b, 180 c and 180 d. For example, the lower recess 70 b mayaccommodate a lower label cover 10 b retaining a strip label 22 a havingidentification information for the group of associated ports 180 a, 180b, 180 c and 180 d. The upper recess 70 a may accommodate an upper labelcover 10 a retaining a plurality of segment labels 20 a, 20 b, 20 c and20 d, each having identification information corresponding to anassociated port 180 a, 180 b, 180 c and 180 d.

Referring now to FIG. 18, there is another example illustrating use ofthe present invention that, similar to FIG. 17, demonstrates the greatversatility of the present invention to accommodate a variety ofdifferent identification labeling requirements. The sloped faceplate 200of FIG. 18 includes a first recess 70 e that may contain strip label 22a that is utilized to identify the faceplate 200 itself, a second recess70 f that may contain another strip label 22 a that is utilized toidentify a first pair of ports 180 e and 180 f, a third recess 70 g thatmay be utilized to identify a second pair of ports 180 g and 180 h, anda fourth recess 70 h that may be used simply to retain a cover over ascrew that may be securing the faceplate 200. The first recess 70 e mayretain a first label cover 10 a that may retain label 22 a or 22 b.

Since the second recess 70 f is associated with 2 ports 180 e and 180 f,the second label cover could be of the 2-segment variety (10) or of thestrip label variety (10 a), providing identification information, and isshown in FIG. 18 covering a printed strip label 22 a for thecorresponding ports 180 e and 180 f. While the third recess 70 g is alsoassociated with 2 ports 180 g and 180 h, similar to the second recess 70f, FIG. 12 illustrates the third recess 70 g being used to accommodatetwo icon elements 140, each of which provides identification informationfor the corresponding port 180 g and 180 h. Finally, the fourth recess70 h is used to accommodate an opaque label cover 10 that is presentmerely to cover a screw that secures the faceplate panel 200. Of course,different labeling schemes could be used for each of the recesses 70e-70 h of the faceplate panel 200 still in accordance with the presentinvention.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing detailed description, thepresent invention provides an improved and very versatile identificationlabeling system that can accommodate a variety of differentidentification label sizes and styles, including segment labels retainedwithin a label cover, strip labels retained within a faceplate recess bythe label cover or icon elements retained within a faceplate recess, aswell as various combinations of the different label types andarrangements in one faceplate. The present invention also provides manyadvantages beyond versatility. For example, the label covers 10 and 10 aremain flush with the panel surface, and the assembly of the presentinvention secures the identification information on the label andprotects it from external elements.

The segment label embodiment of the present invention further hasanother significant advantage in that it allows for the segment labelsto be removed, and new or different segment labels to be inserted, whilethe label cover is removed from the panel recess. This represents asignificant advance over prior art techniques that require precisemanual dexterity at a location (i.e., on the faceplate itself) that maynot be conveniently accessible. In other words, because the label coverof the present invention may be removed from the faceplate recess, thesegment labels carried within may be removed, updated and inserted awayfrom the vicinity of the recess on the panel. Furthermore, the recessitself and the chamfered corners of the label cover and the recessprovide a convenient guide when attempting to manually insert the labelcover into the recess when the faceplate is in a relatively inconvenientlocation. Moreover, the present invention further allows for completeprinting and assembly of the label cover and labels offsite from thelocation of the panel. In this regard, an engineer or other individualresponsible for configuring and setting up a system having manyfaceplates that need to be supplied with identification information may,in connection with configuring the system, which may also be performedoffsite, print and conveniently insert the segment labels intoappropriate label covers, substantially reducing the amount of onsitetime it would otherwise take to configure and provide identificationinformation for such a system.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended toserve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, andeach separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Nolanguage in the specification should be construed as indicating anynon-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Itshould be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplaryonly, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

1. A system of identification labeling comprising: a faceplate havingmeans for accommodating a label; and a label cover attached flush to asurface of the faceplate, said label cover having means foraccommodating a label.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising afirst label disposed in one of the faceplate and the label cover.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the faceplate means for accommodating alabel is comprised of a recess of a predetermined depth; and the labelis accommodated in the recess.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein therecess is formed by a bottom wall, a pair of end walls, and a pair ofsidewalls.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the label cover means foraccommodating a label is comprised of a pair of opposed guide membersthat at least partially define a compartment and define a slot forretaining the label.